Born on October 13th

"In the field of motivation & action, do not wait for a clear sky; the most resilient journeys begin in the midst of the storm."

"Success is not a destination of comfort, but the daily practice of stepping into the unknown. As a poet & novelist, this is the foundational truth I have observed."

"Your potential is a fire waiting to be kindled by the friction of consistent effort."

"In the field of resilience & focus, we are not defined by the weight of our struggles, but by the strength we find when we rise."

"Like a lighthouse in the storm, your inner resolve must remain steady and bright. As a historical figure, this is the foundational truth I have observed."

"The hardest trials do not consume the gold; they refine the spirit and clear the path ahead."

"I'd love to interview Bill Clinton. I know that might be a little boring, but he's so interesting and such an amazing guy. All he's done after his presidency... he hasn't just sat around, he's been so active in so many charitable causes."

"It's only a hitch when you're in a slump. When you're hitting the ball its called rhythm."

"I don't know where Hank Aaron will break Ruth's record but I can tell you one thing - ten years from the day he hits it three million people will say they were there."

"In the field of mindfulness & peace, be present in this breath, for it is the only moment where life is actually happening."

"Peace is not the silence of the storm, but the calm center you maintain within yourself. As a creative innovator, this is the foundational truth I have observed."

"Let go of the weight of yesterday, and receive the clear canvas of this present day."

"Never blog just to put something out there. I would post only things that excite me."

"I'm not afraid of problem-solving. There is always a way."

"I think its important to start the day with a proper breakfast."

"Being behind the lens gives me a completely different perspective, and because of my blog, I get to do projects and attend shows lending me another angle."

"I have always found photography magical, and became more taken with it whilst modeling."

"I'm self-taught and emailed photographers I knew if I had questions I couldn't figure out from the manual or online."

"I see the Calvin Klein girl as strong, fun, and confident."

"I just work hard and do things as they come along. But it has been a challenge to learn that I have to say 'no' to things and to know how and what to prioritize."

"I have my own voice and can focus only on that. I know what I like; I find my inspirations in so many other places than just online and bring that into my work."

"For myself, losing is not coming second. It's getting out of the water knowing you could have done better. For myself, I have won every race I've been in."

"Remember to do the things you enjoy away from swimming, regularly."

"The fairytale has turned into a nightmare."

"I'm still swimming."

"Compared to how I have raced before and how I have competed, the success that I have had, this does look like doom compared to it."

"I'm more comfortable knowing that, chances are, I'm going to fail at this. I've become comfortable with that."

"Sometimes we question things that we have done in our lives but how many times do we question what we haven't done in someone else's."

"I think now I'll probably take a few days off and enjoy the competition and then sit down with a few people and work out what is next, work out what the next preparation will be and what competition will be next."

"I've missed out on a huge goal but the desire is still there."